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Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace

On Monday evening, September 18, 6:30-7:30 pm an Interfaith Prayer Service will be held in Wightman Chapel at Scarritt Bennett Center. This service is co-sponsored by the Center and United Religions Initiative Cooperative Circle of Nashville. That week is the International Day of Peace of the United Nations and this service is in support of this world-wide time of prayer for peace in our world. A reception will follow the service.

Representatives of nine different faiths will share readings/prayers from their sacred texts or music of their faith that speaks to peace in communities and in the world. Clayton Carlson writes: “There is a demand for peace that springs from the collective soul of all nations. It is a universal desire that exists because, as Tolstoy claimed, ‘it is written in our minds and hearts.’”

Meditate on these thoughts and prayers for peace: “First there must be order and harmony within your own mind. Then this order will spread to your family, then to the community, and finally to your entire kingdom. Only then can you have peace and harmony.” Confucius

“Eternal wellspring of peace – May we be drenched with the longing for peace that we may give ourselves over to peace until the earth overflows with peace as living waters overflow the seas.” Marcia Falk

Suprapunna asked the Lord Buddha as follows: ‘What shall we get rid of if we want peace and happiness? What shall we do to get rid of sorrow? What is the poison that devours all our good thoughts?’ The answer: ‘Kill hatred and thou shalt have peace and happiness. Kill hatred ad thou shalt have no more sorrow. It is hatred that devours all thy goodness.’” Dhyana

“If you want peace, work for justice.” Pope Paul VI

“Prayer and sacrifice must be used as the most effective spiritual weapons in the war against war, and like all weapons, thy must be used with deliberate aim;: not just with a vague aspiration for peace and security, but against violence and war. This implies that we are also willing to sacrifice and restrain our own instinct for violence and aggressiveness in our relations with other people. We may never succeed in this campaign, but whether we succeed or not, the duty is evident.” Thomas Merton

We are committed to building bridges between people and transforming hate into hope and love. Let us come together to pray for peace as members of the world’s religions.

Note: All thoughts/prayers quoted are from “Peace Prayers” compiled by Clayton Carlson.

Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence

Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.